Hatton led on all three judges' scorecards heading into the ninth of ten rounds against Senchenko, but the Ukrainian was growing into the contest. A hook to the body finished the Brit, who lost his first fight back in over three years.

"I thought I was four rounds up. After three years I expected [to miss], but I was winning," Hatton told Sky Sports. "After three-and-a-half years I don't want to make any hasty decisions, but I'm heartbroken.

"I felt I was winning, it was nearly over. I'm absolutely heartbroken."

The obvious question now for Hatton will be whether his comeback lasts just one fight. He admitted he cannot keep losing, but seemed to hint that he would not bow out after back-to-back defeats to Manny Pacquiao and Senchenko.

"There's a lot to think about. As close as it was, it's another defeat," Hatton said. "I was enjoying it but I can't keep picking my arse up off the floor. I'm not a failure, I'm sick of it.

"That's not the way my career should end but I have to think about things now. I'm sick of losing. As proud a man as I am, you don't know what that does to me."

Reflecting on the body shot that ended the bout, Hatton was annoyed that he had not seen it coming. But he still has a burning desire to fight again for a world title.

"It was a good shot. He had nailed me with a few early on, they didn't snap me in two like that but I should have thought, 'He's looking for it'. But I didn't. That's what three-and-a-half years does.

"I was doing all right, I was fighting a former world champion but I'm absolutely gutted. I want to fight world champions, I want to fight for the world title."